Now Commenting On:

Lidge reportedly opts to call it a career

Lidge reportedly opts to call it a career

10/2/05: The Astros clinch the NL Wild Card on the last day of the season

By Adam Berry
/
MLB.com |

Brad Lidge, the closer who capped off a perfect 2008 season in Philadelphia with a World Series championship, has reportedly decided to retire.

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com posted the news on Twitter on Sunday, reporting that the free-agent reliever has told his agents, Rex Gary and Jim Turner, that he will call it a career after 11 seasons in the Majors.

The two-time All-Star will retire with 225 saves, a 3.54 ERA and 799 strikeouts in 603 1/3 innings. He pitched for three National League championship teams between Houston and Philadelphia and won it all with the '08 Phillies.

During that run in 2008, Lidge -- who earned the nickname "Lights Out" -- went a perfect 41-for-41 with a 1.95 ERA in the regular season and picked up seven more saves over seven chances in the playoffs. He finished up the Phillies' title-clinching Game 5, fanning the Rays' Eric Hinske for the final out.

That was the first of four seasons in Philadelphia for Lidge, who finished fourth in the 2008 NL Cy Young Award voting and eighth in the NL MVP standings. The right-hander began his career with the Astros, who picked him 17th overall in the 1998 First-Year Draft out of Notre Dame.

In his final year in Philadelphia, Lidge struggled with injuries early in the season, saw Ryan Madson take over as the club's closer and was shifted to a long-relief role. Lidge resurfaced with the Nationals in 2012, serving as their closer with Drew Storen sidelined by injuries. He converted only two of his first four save opportunities, spent time on the disabled list and pitched in only 11 games before the Nats designated him for assignment and released him in late June.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.